Stars Visit Downing Street to Celebrate 20 Years of Changing Lives

Celebrities, politicians and beneficiaries of National Lottery funding joined the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon David Cameron MP, and The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH at a Downing Street reception to celebrate 20 years of The National Lottery.

Representatives from across the arts, sport, heritage, health, education, environment, charity and voluntary sectors rubbed shoulders with a host of stars at the event, which recognised the life-changing contribution to communities made by National Lottery funding.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “The National Lottery has been helping projects across the country week in, week out for two decades – having raised over £32 billion for Good Causes.

“Whether they go to the local shop or play online, when they pick their numbers and buy their tickets, people all over the UK are not just in with a shot at scooping a big prize – they’re also making a massive difference to their local environment; helping arts bodies thrive, protecting the UK’s heritage sites, developing sporting talent, and, of course, supporting the amazing work of countless charities.

“I would like to thank my predecessor, Sir John Major, for his vision and determination – despite much opposition – in setting up this fantastic institution. The National Lottery has achieved an incredible amount in 20 years – and I’ll be crossing my fingers for another 20 years of changing lives.”

David Cameron was joined by former Prime Minister, Sir John Major, credited by many as the “founding father” of The National Lottery. The pair officially unveiled a new image commissioned to mark 20 years of National Lottery funding at the event, which brought together a crowd of 150 people, all of them celebrating two decades of life-changing projects across the UK.

Sir John said: “The National Lottery has funded a rebirth of cultural and sporting life in Britain and I am delighted to celebrate its 20th birthday. Wherever you go around the United Kingdom – to a park, sports centre, museum or theatre – the likelihood is that it has received National Lottery money.

“When we launched The National Lottery in 1994, we estimated that it would raise £1 billion a year for the Good Causes. However, it has far exceeded this total – and the money raised has enriched us all. I wish The National Lottery every possible success for the future – long may it thrive and long may our nation benefit.”

Andy Duncan, CEO of National Lottery operator Camelot, said: “The National Lottery has transformed the UK and it continues to do so – with over £33 million raised for Good Cause projects each and every week. It has had a hugely positive impact in all walks of life, creating thousands of jobs and millions of training and volunteering opportunities in the process.

“This is all thanks to National Lottery players who, between them, have been awarded more than £53 billion in prizes, with over six million winners created every week. So, whether you or someone you know has had a major win, or a project close to your heart has had funding, The National Lottery has touched communities the length and breadth of the UK – making a truly life-changing difference.”

Notes to Editors:

The National Lottery’s Celebrating 20 Years image captures a snapshot of the range and diversity of the projects that have benefited from the £32 billion raised by National Lottery players. The image was shot over the course of one week, at one photography studio, by the photographer Christian Sinibaldi and the creative practice Spy Studio.

The image features 150 people from more than 50 National Lottery funded projects from across the UK. Each project is engaging in an activity and using props that they feel best represents and highlights their work. It includes everything from a Hackney City Farm donkey to a motorbike belonging to Blood Bikers, a group of volunteers who transport blood between hospitals in the north west of England. Everyone was captured from the same angle and at the same scale, to ensure each project is equally represented.

Camelot UK Lotteries Limited is the licensed operator of The National Lottery® and is committed to raising money for National Lottery Good Causes designated by Parliament. Camelot is not responsible for distributing or awarding these funds.

Each week, Camelot generates over £33 million for National Lottery-funded projects – in total, £32 billion has now been raised and more than 450,000 individual grants have been made across the UK, the biggest programme of civic and social regeneration since the 19th Century.

The National Lottery has so far given away over £53 billion in prizes and created more than 3,700 millionaires or multi-millionaires since its launch in 1994.